Flamenco

Flamenco is a form of Spanish folk art rooted in the southern region of Andalusia, defined by the interaction of song (cante), guitar (toque), and dance (baile). It is characterized by intense emotional expression, complex rhythms, and a distinct vocal style known as cante. Central to flamenco is the notion of duende, a heightened, sometimes elusive state of artistic feeling that performers strive to evoke in audiences.

Flamenco emerged from a convergence of cultures in Andalusia, especially among Romani communities, and drew on influences from Moorish, Sephardic, and other Mediterranean traditions. Over time, it developed in rural and urban contexts, later becoming a concert and stage art.

The repertoire is organized into palos or styles, each with its own rhythmic pattern and mood. Core forms include cante jondo (deep song), soleá, siguiriyas, bulería, alegrías, tangos, and farruca. While cante jondo emphasizes solemn, intense expression, others vary from mournful to lively and are performed at different tempos and with varying degrees of ornamentation.

Practitioners include cantaor/cantaora (singers), bailaores/bailaoresas (dancers), and guitarists (palos). Performances are often conceived as intimate dialogues among the three elements, with improvisation guiding interpretation. Flamenco is performed in tablaos, theaters, and festivals, and has become a global art form with regional schools and contemporary fusions.

In 2010, UNESCO listed flamenco as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in recognition of its cultural significance and ongoing transmission through generations.